Nagpur: The industrial accident at the Solar Explosives plant near Bazargaon has claimed a second victim, raising the official death toll from the blast to two. One of the critically injured workers, identified as Nikesh Irpachi, succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a city hospital late Friday night.

The incident occurred around 12:30 am on Thursday, when a powerful explosion ripped through a section of the private explosives manufacturing unit. Preliminary reports suggest a fire broke out just before the blast, allowing several workers to flee. However, at least 17 employees sustained injuries due to flying debris and the force of the explosion.

Medical officials confirmed that while most of the injured were discharged after receiving first aid, four workers remained in intensive care. Dr. Nripal Dhande, ICU in-charge at Dhande Hospital, said:

“We received four patients in critical condition, two with severe head injuries. They were immediately shifted to the ICU and put on ventilator support. Despite all efforts, one of them could not survive.”

Police and forensic teams have since cordoned off the accident site and launched a detailed probe into the cause of the explosion. Senior officials from Nagpur Rural Police and the district administration inspected the premises on Friday, while rescue teams worked through the day to ensure no more casualties remained trapped inside.

Authorities have assured that stringent safety checks will be enforced at the explosives unit to prevent similar tragedies. Families of the deceased are expected to receive compensation, though an official announcement from the administration is still awaited.

The Bazargaon explosion has raised concerns over industrial safety norms at hazardous units in the region, with officials under pressure to review compliance standards at manufacturing facilities handling explosive materials.